St. Charles — Sometimes healthy living is as plain as ancient wisdom.

“Everything has energy,” says Atala Dorothy Toy of Crystal Life Technology.

The merchants from 3rd Street Shops in St. Charles on Feb. 17 & 18 will be hosting “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times: A Week-End of Rediscovery,” featuring a series of free demonstrations and workshops designed to revitalize the spirit, mind and body.

“In the old times, people used stones and aromatherapy or glass to improve their lives, and we’ve forgotten about these practices,” Toy said. “We’re emphasizing a return to being consciously aware of your surroundings and the products you use.”

3rd Street Shops is a collection of more than 20 specialty stores occupying a quaint warehouse in downtown St. Charles.

Although many of the stores have been in existence since the inception of the 3rd Street Shops 25 years ago, the complex recently has attracted a large concentration of practitioners of holistic practices and products.

Events over the “Ancient Wisdom” week-end are planned for every hour on the hour throughout the two days.

Toy will speak on using stones for balance and strength. Toy believes stones possess qualities capable of improving energy, raising consciousness and encouraging healthy growth. Through the selection of a stone from a basket of several hundred pounds of tumbled stones from all over the world, visitors will receive a mini “stone reading.”

The 3rd Street Shops have an early farmers-market atmosphere where shoppers find handmade goods and textiles, everything from freshly ground coffee and red tea from South Africa to European embroidered cloths.

Many of the shop’s owners are artists of stained glass and textiles. Visitors over the week-end will step out of the ordinary and learn how to wear an Indian sari or learn about the spiritual benefits of prayer and essential oils or organic herbs and teas.

Karisa Ducay of Scent Love Candle Company, whose shop is filled with handmade products, will give a demonstration on how to create a wav meditation bowl embedded with botanicals.

“It’s a tool for meditation,” Ducay says. “all of this has been out there since the beginning of time; we’re simply reintroducing it.”

There will be angel readings and demonstrations using mini harps to find the natural resonance of the body for healing, as well as information on how natural cheese is made and the positive properties of natural and herbal teas – with samplings.

“Just recently, there’s a movement toward people doing things just a little bit different,” Ducay said.

3rd Street Shops is at 12 N 3rd St. in St. Charles, across from the Filling Station restaurant. Call (630) 584 3899 for a schedule of events or go to www.3rdstreetshops.com